Premier Choir is the face of the San Diego Children’s Choir and participates in the highest profile performance opportunities, including annually with the San Diego Symphony. Youth in this auditioned advanced treble ensemble are experienced music readers and those with a strong commitment to choir. Choristers perform in 8-15 concerts each season, including local collaborative and high-profile performances. They also have the opportunity to participate in summer tours that alternate from national to international.


PREMIER CHOIR (GRADES 7–12)

Ruthie Millgard, Artistic Director

Weekly Rehearsal Schedule and Location

Meets one time a week from September 2 through December 8, 2024 for the Fall semester and January through June for the Spring Semester at the following location:


Curriculum

  • SDCC’s Advanced Treble Choir

  • Weekly rehearsals consist of up to 40-60 students, with periodic extended rehearsals to make up for holiday weekends

  • Choristers sing independently in up to 8 parts. They demonstrate advanced vocal techniques, fluency in sight-reading and harmony, and perform music successfully in a variety of languages and styles

  • Advanced sight singing and aural skills, an understanding and analysis of the choral score, a secure sense of vocal independence and adaptability as a performer are taught and emphasized

  • Youth take on elected roles to further develop leadership and independence both in and out of the Choir program

  • Home study is required in varied intensity throughout the year

  • Choristers progress through published, sequential music literacy workbook series, A Young Singer’s Journey or Music Theory for Singers. They also use Sightreading Factory as an aural literacy training tool and learn healthy vocal training

  • Premier Choir is the face of the Choir and participates in the highest profile performance opportunities, including annually with the San Diego Symphony and other local and high-profile performances

  • Small Group Vocal Coaching (optional)


Performances and other events

  • Two major SDCC concerts per year (Winter and Spring)

  • 5-10 additional performances per semester

  • Annual summer tour, optional

  • Additional leadership and social opportunities

  • Mandatory overnight retreat each fall semester and full-day retreat each spring semester


  • An audition is required

  • Auditionees are expected to be experienced music readers and performers, confident in singing harmony and in speaking and reading English

Audition Qualificiations


Tuition and Fees

  • $890 per semester

  • Registration Fee* ($45) + Fall Retreat* ($305) + Uniform Purchase ($60-$100) + Concert Tickets ($0-$45 per concert)

  • Need-based scholarships available to qualifying families

    *will be added onto your first tuition payment.